“The committee is chaired by the minister himself and its membership includes representatives from the Ministry of Justice, General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE), Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD), Emirates Astronomical Society (EAS) and UAE Amateur Astronomers Association.”

Look Out for the Crescent“The resolution called on Sharia Courts across the country to look out for the Ramadan moon crescent and report the evidence to the committee so as to determine the beginning of the fasting month.”

Image: An officer of Brunei's Islamic authority looks through a telescope as he performs "rukyah", the sighting of the new moon for Ramadan, over the skies of Bukit Agok outside Bandar Seri Begawan August 31, 2008. Muslims scan the sky at dusk at the end of their lunar calendar's eighth month in search of the new moon to proclaim the beginning of Ramadan. (Photo courtesy of Boston’s The Big Picture ‘Observing Ramadan, 2008 and REUTERS/Ahim Rani).